2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Riverside, CA vs Federal Way, WA

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Federal Way or is it cheaper to live in Riverside?
- Federal Way is 20.5% more expensive than Riverside.

Which city has more affordable housing, Federal Way or Riverside?
- Federal Way housing costs are 0.5% less expensive than Riverside housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Riverside or is Health Care more affordable in Federal Way.
- Health related expenses are 1.0% more in Federal Way.
 Riverside, CAFederal Way, WAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock158.1100
 Food & Groceries100.4  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock88.2100
 Housing177.5  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$542,500$338,100
 Utilities106  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock148.7100
 Miscellaneous112.3  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
DID YOU KNOW?

In order to keep your same standard of living your salary can vary greatly - whether you buy or rent, require child care, or want to include taxes. This is why we are now offering a Premium Salary & Cost of Living Calculator.

Our Premium Calculator Includes:
- Compare Cities cost of living across 9 different categories
- Personal salary calculations can optionally include Home ownership or rental, Child care, and Taxes (with details on state and local sales, income, property and automobile taxes)
- Includes the cost of Child Care for toddlers or infants, at a day care center or home care
- Grocery prices, detailed for 29 staple items in six categories
- Difference in cost of Utilities, including electric, gas and fuel oil
- Health Care Premiums and hospital expenses for major surgeries
- Taxes, Fees and Expenses you should know about, such as local car insurance rates, automobile taxes and registration, commuting costs.
- and 100s of other items you should consider before you relocate

Upgrade to Premium | See Example

Reviews for Riverside    42 Reviews

I've lived in Riverside for 54 years. It changed a LOT when people from LA started moving here in droves. Still, I have never been robbed or assaulted but I am  More

   |    Reply

I'm from Orange County (OC). I have had nothing but trouble since moving to Riverside. 1. The dogs are aggressive guard dogs. If you want to walk or bike you  More

   |    Reply

Over 7 years ago

Whew where to begin with dear old riverside. I enjoyed growing up here until my high school years (back in 2011). In 7 short years the downward deterioration of the  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Riverside

Reviews for Federal Way    14 Reviews

Over 6 years ago

A suburb of The Emerald City (Seattle, WA), Federal Way has become yet another go-to place for affluent travelers and transplants from states all over the nation. The  More

   |    Reply

I want to move my family to austin i havent bin there but we want some ware housing is affortable i have four boys age 6,3,2 and a baby of 2 months and ware theres jobs  More

   |    Reply

I have lived in Brooklyn NY, West Palm Beach & Port St Lucie, FL and now Federal Way, WA. While the cost of living here is higher than Florida, it is definitely lower  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Federal Way


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.